Brexit and importing difficulties have led to a firework shortage - with reports of stocks being down by 70 per cent.
The shortage is pushing prices up, with some wholesalers refusing to stock up on pyrotechnics due to the red tape caused by Brexit and confusion over what new safety rules are in place.
There are fears the shortage could lead to bonfire night firework displays fizzling out as a result, as reported by the Mirror.
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Richard Hogg, of Fireworks Kingdom, told The Guardian: “Importing fireworks has become very difficult and unstable in the wake of Brexit.
"Our industry is being hit particularly hard, receiving just 30 per cent of the usual annual supply.”
He said that the switch over from the Europe-wide CE safety label to a UKCA mark, needed to sell fireworks in the UK, has meant that some firms are unwilling to stock up as they don’t know when the new rules will come in.
It has been pushed back and now currently is due to be introduced at the start of 2023.
Costs have also been pushed up for importing fireworks from east Asia via the EU, due to new rules coupled with a shortage of containers.
“It’s gutting to see the shelves empty at stores across the UK when we’d usually be preparing for our busiest season," Hogg said.
"While we do have some stock, other stores haven’t been so fortunate.
“Shipping companies are now asking for a £5,000 deposit per container, in case the EU member state denies our application to import from China via one of their ports, despite this route being a key way that many UK companies import.”
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Other distributors have also said their stocks are down, but Steve Raper of the British Fireworks Association said that while there is confusion over the new labelling system, any fireworks imported with the CE label until the end of next year can be sold in the UK indefinitely.
Shortages caused by travel disruption and a lack of lorry drivers are also causing trouble for supermarket deliveries.
There is a fear that there will not be enough turkeys for Christmas and that there will be toy shortages.
People may also end up without Christmas trees due to supply problems caused in part due to a lack of trees being sent from Denmark.
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